Are you dreaming of waking up in paradise one day? Moorea, overshadowed by Bora Bora, is equally stunning and even more adventurous. Don’t believe it? Here, you will discover not only the best spot for shark watching and feeding rays throughout all of Polynesia, but also majestic sharp peaks that adorn all of Moorea. Add to that the most photogenic Temae Beach, a gem you can find in every guidebook, and it’s even more perfect in person. Let’s take a closer look at this gem of French Polynesia and let your imagination run wild.
Detailed Google map with attractions
Detailed map of our points of interest[/caption>
Practical tips
- Flights to Moorea – roundtrip flight Tahiti (Papeete) – Moorea can be purchased from 100€, but it would be a pity if you didn’t opt for the Air Tahiti Pass, which allows you to travel to multiple islands. We highly recommend choosing one of the passes:
- Bora Bora Pass includes the islands of Moorea, Huahine, Raiatea, Bora Bora, Maupiti
- Bora-Tuamotu Pass includes the islands of Moorea, Huahine, Raiatea, Maupiti, Bora Bora, Rangiroa, Tikehau, Fakarava
TIP: Check out our comprehensive article onFrench Polynesia – tips and tricks
- Boat trip to Moorea – An alternative to Air Tahiti flights is a high-speed ferry trip departing 6 times a day from Papeete to Vaiare, taking about 30 minutes.
- Accommodation options in Moorea – the accommodation options can be divided into 2 categories:
- Luxury hotels – these are 3*+ hotels with their own beach or more luxurious ones with overwater bungalows. Prices start from €100 per night per person
- Guesthouses and pensions – these are accommodations run by locals. If you don’t mind a shared bathroom or lack of air conditioning, you can opt for budget stays. Prices start from €30 per night per person without breakfast
- Airport transportation – the airport in Moorea is located in the northwest part of the island. Since car rental companies have offices in Vaiare town, someone from the rental will come to pick you up. In addition to Europcar, there are also Avis and Moorea car rental available.
- Transportation on the island – the best option is to rent a car, with good prices through Europcar. The roads have a designated lane for cyclists, making biking much safer than on Bora Bora.
TOP 10 attractions
1. Beach and viewpoint at Temae Beach
Temae Beach is one of the most photographed beaches in French Polynesia – white sand, tall palm trees, a turquoise lagoon with shades of blue, and the backdrop of the towering island of Tahiti. You can capture a perfect postcard picture from the main road at the Toatea Lookout viewpoint. The beach is connected to the Sofitel Kia Ora resort, so part of the beach is private and part is public. Parking is available at the off-road parking under the palm trees, so make sure to check the coconuts above your head. We were warned by the car rental company about thieves who target unattended belongings on the beach. They can quickly snatch your things and ride off on a motorbike. We actually saw some suspicious locals lurking around. Snorkeling gear is more than necessary as just a short swim from the shore reveals a rich marine life of tropical fish, corals, and rays. Be cautious of strong currents.
2. Snorkeling at Sharks Sandbank
Have you ever dreamed of swimming with sharks and rays? Snorkeling at Sharks Sandbank is one of the best spots in all of French Polynesia. According to locals, people have been visiting this place daily for over 15 years to pet rays and snorkel with blacktip reef sharks. And there’s no need to fear, nothing has ever happened to anyone in all this time, as these creatures have become perfectly accustomed to humans. The boat captain will even join you in the water to guide the rays. Don’t forget your underwater case or GoPro camera, as you won’t get a closer view of a shark like this anywhere else.
TIP: We recommend booking this excursion through an agency Moorea Timi Tour, where you will be guided through all the attractions by a friendly married couple. You will start with snorkeling by the underwater Tiki statues, followed by Sharks Sandbank and ending in the beautiful coral garden of Tiahura.
3. Tour to Three Pines Lookout
On Moorea, you will find several hiking trails that will take you into the authentic jungle. Majestic mountains and sharp peaks dominate the entire island. To the center of the island at Belvedere Lookout, you can drive, and from there, two main trails lead. The longer one, approximately 6 km, leads to Three Coconuts Lookout, and the shorter one (about 3 km) to Three Pines Lookout, which we also chose. It is an easy hike through the jungle. Although it sounds very exotic, do not expect very exotic animals here. Up in the mountains, the most you might hear is the rustle of chickens and the crowing of a rooster 🙂 Towards the end, there are steeper switchbacks that will take you to the summit, from where you have a magnificent view. And of course, there are the promised three pine trees and a swing as a bonus.
GPS route: https://www.strava.com/activities/7203639230
4. Snorkeling at Coral Garden Tiahura
The coral garden of Coral Garden Tiahura is located between the islets of Motu Tiahura and Motu Fareone. You can visit it on your own by renting a kayak, or as part of a tour through an agency, as we did. Snorkeling is easy, as the depth here is reachable. Although it is just a short distance from Sharks Sandbank, we did not see any sharks here.
TIP: For this trip, we recommend the agency Moorea Timi Tour, where you will be guided through all the attractions by a friendly married couple. You will start with snorkeling at the underwater Tiki statues, followed by Sharks Sandbank, and end in the beautiful coral garden of Tiahura.
5. Magic Mountain Viewpoint
Another worthwhile hike is the Magic Mountain viewpoint. The path leads all the way to the top on asphalt and you can complete it as a loop by taking the other way back. Your sweaty shirt will remind you of the tropical conditions you are in, but it’s definitely worth it. The view of the azure lagoon, overwater bungalows, and surrounding mountains is magical. By the way, the parking fee is cleverly designed, as at the end of the hike you can use it as a voucher, for example, for a fresh coconut.
GPS route: https://www.strava.com/activities/7218389014
6. Tiahura Beach
Tiahura Beach, also known as Hauru, is a northwest public beach with a narrow strip of white sand. As we had marked it as a snorkeling beach, we had high expectations for it. However, the problem is the strong current that will pull you to the north. It was an even stronger current than at Temae Beach. So, if you are a good swimmer, there is a possibility of drift snorkeling, i.e., letting yourself be carried by the current and then jumping out somewhere on the shore in time.
7. Afareaitu Waterfall
Afareaitu Waterfall is about a two-kilometer hike through the jungle. It is a non-commercial attraction, so you will only encounter a fraction of people compared to other places. Even the parking fee was collected by a local. He showed us where to park. Along the way, be careful of coconut palm trees hanging several meters above your heads. But all of this adds to the adventure of this waterfall, where the final view will be worth it.GPS route: https://www.strava.com/activities/7208112097
8. Church Eglise de la Sainte Famille
This iconic little church is, in our opinion, the most beautiful on the island and definitely worth a visit. The Church of the Holy Family was built in 1897 and is a replica of the Saint-Michel des Gambier Cathedral. Its silhouette with two bell towers against the backdrop of greenery and the peak of Mount Mou’aroa continues to inspire many painters.
9. Sacred Place Marae Ti’i-rua
Ancient Polynesian temples, known as marae, can be found on all the islands of French Polynesia. Marae were not only used for religious ceremonies, but also as meeting places for local communities and families. The Opunohu Valley has many of these temples, which you can visit on the way to the Belvedere lookout. These excavated sites hold a lot of history and mysteries.
10. Beach in Farehau
This piece of public beach wasn’t even on the map, so we’re sharing it as our secret tip. White sand, a gradual entry into the water, and a fantastic view of the island of Tahiti. You’ll be almost alone here, or occasionally a motorcyclist might stop by. You can park your car on the main road. And if your stomach starts growling, there’s excellent Vietnamese street food at Banh-Mi & Co by Mozzie.Believe that this list could be even longer, but this time I’m curbing my maximalist talent. It’s better to see at least once than to hear (or read) 100 times. So if you have the chance, grab a flight deal and look forward to one of the most beautiful places on Earth.
